Skills in Scranton Awarded Business Education Partnership Grant to Expand Career Video Library Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces it has been awarded a Business Education Partnership Grant from the Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board. The grant supports the creation of five additional career pathways videos that spotlight high-demand trades in Lackawanna County, which include carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and welding. These new videos join Skills in Scranton’s expanding resource library at skillsinscranton.com. The resource library introduces job seekers to high-demand careers in the community. Skills in Scranton partners with school districts and higher education institutions in Lackawanna County to integrate the resource library into classrooms—giving students valuable insights and real-world connections to in-demand careers. “We are thrilled to expand our resource library with support from the Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board,” shared Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at The Chamber. “These career pathway videos are a critical tool in our mission to equip students with career knowledge and exposure to local opportunities that align with their interests and the needs of our region.” Virginia Turano, executive director of Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board, expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “The Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board is pleased to collaborate with The Chamber and its division, Skills in Scranton, to promote career pathways initiatives for students in Lackawanna County. And I applaud the expansion of this new and exciting tool supporting student knowledge, growth, and development.” The grant represents a significant step forward in fostering career readiness and workforce alignment in Lackawanna County. Skills in Scranton’s video library provides an enriched selection of career insights for students, job seekers, and educators, guiding them toward fulfilling careers essential to the region. Each videos offers an in-depth view of the professions, the required training, and the many job opportunities available in Lackawanna County.
Wallenpaupack Freshmen Visit Scranton Enterprise Center to Explore Entrepreneurship and Workforce Resources The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed the Wallenpaupack Area School District’s freshman class of 2028 to the Scranton Enterprise Center for an engaging day focused on business, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The visit introduced students to resources available in Lackawanna County, such as the IGNITE program and the Chamber’s Career Resource Video Library, aimed at supporting students interested in pursuing careers in northeastern Pennsylvania. During the visit, students learned about the resources and support available for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, gaining insights into potential career pathways. “This experience was a great way for students to learn about entrepreneurship and small businesses in our area as a potential career path,” said Maria Day, IGNITE Program Manager. The event highlighted the resources and programs designed to help students explore career and educational opportunities within Lackawanna County. Throughout the day, students were introduced to incubator businesses and other resources offered by the Chamber, providing them with valuable exposure to the world of entrepreneurship and insights into the opportunities it can offer. Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at the Chamber, emphasized the importance of introducing young students to local workforce resources early on to foster a mindset of goal-setting and career exploration. The Chamber’s commitment to nurturing northeastern Pennsylvania’s future workforce includes initiatives that introduce students to career pathways and encourage proactive planning. Through programs like IGNITE and Skills in Scranton, the Chamber’s workforce development division, aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.
The Chamber Launches New Workforce Development Resource Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has launched a new video series promoting career awareness and highlighting high-priority occupations in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Chamber and its affiliate, Skills in Scranton, are focused on implementing resources to the greater Scranton region as it promotes high-priority jobs. The mission of The Chamber is to attract, sustain, and grow businesses—the new set of career awareness videos will assist in attracting and sustaining employment in the community. The eight videos in the series are told from employees’ perspectives in diverse industries such as logistics, transportation, healthcare, and elementary education. Viewers will gain valuable insight into the qualifications, training pathways, and employment opportunities for the high-priority careers. “Career awareness is crucial for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their professional journey. By shedding light on the occupations available in our area, The Chamber and Skills in Scranton hope to address the skills gap and support a robust talent pipeline in northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The career awareness video series is made available at SkillsinScranton.com. The videos are supplemented with additional resources, such as a career guide about key tasks and skills, local educational programs, training opportunities, and local employers. Watch the Videos About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com. About Skills in ScrantonSkills in Scranton, an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, focuses on workforce development in the greater Scranton region. For more than 25 years, Skills in Scranton has worked with local employers, school districts, higher education institutions, and Pennsylvania data experts to implement strategies that help ensure our regional workforce is aligned with high-priority jobs of the future. For more information, visit www.SkillsinScranton.com
Chamber Hires Workforce Development Specialist The Chamber is proud to announce the addition of Emily Pettinato as the workforce development specialist for Skills in Scranton, the Chamber’s workforce development affiliate. In this role, Pettinato supports workforce development and talent recruitment initiatives for Skills in Scranton, including managing programs like Workforce Wednesday, Educator in the Workplace, Industry Career Camp, and more. Pettinato’s responsibilities include coordination and implementation of programs with educational institutions and businesses, securing grant and funding opportunities, managing analytics, developing relationships with key workforce segments, and more. Pettinato has worked in education as a teacher assistant for multiple organizations, as well as having varied experience in communications and business development. Pettinato earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Moravian College and is currently earning her MBA in business administration.
